After their surprising 3:1 defeat in Milan for the Champions League against Inter, Barcelona coma back to their local La Liga to show who the boss is.

Sporting Gijon – Valladolid

Sporting had a solid start to La Liga. Gijon had one of the worst defences last season in Primera Division, but this season it is different and they have conceded 44 goals. It is the main reason why they are in 14th place with 37 points. The hosts need to be more conservative but their insistence to win a match is refreshing when compared to other teams at their level.

Valladolid will be hoping to break out of the relegation zone. The visitors drew 0-0 with Malaga away from home in the previous round. They will try to come out with more aggression but it will be a hard task to take some points from El Molinon. Ever since Valladolid returned to La Liga in the 2007/2008 season, they have narrowly escaped relegation in both seasons. They are fighting relegation once again.
I believe that Sporting will narrowly win this game

Racing Santander – Villarreal

Santander are in 15th position and they want to break out of the bottom part of the table.  They drew 2-2 with Xerez in their last away game a week ago. Coach Miguel Angel has a team that underachieved last season. The defence was solid, only conceding forty-eight goals (fifth in La Liga) but the two starting central defenders (Iván Marcano and Ezequiel Garay) are gone. Racing have conceded 48 goals this season. They want to establish themselves as a force in La Liga.

Such a strong Villarreal’s squad was truly disappointing at the start of La Liga. They actually have 49 points after 33 rounds. What also hurt Villarreal’s defence are the matches Marco Senna missed due to injury. A rock in front of the back four, Senna’s ability and leadership are vital in Villarreal’s chances to reclaim a Champions League spot. Yellow Submarine are aiming to take all three points against Racing after they beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 last weekend.
I think Villarreal will win this game, but the better choice is under 2,5 goals

Almeria – Espanyol

Almeria are not in form - they have won only one game out of their last seven. They lie in 13th place in the table on 38 points after recording nine wins, eleven draws and thirteen defeats. The hosts drew 0-0 in La Coruna in the 33rd round. The departure of Bruno, Mane and Carlos Garcia has left the defence in a little disarray. On the other hand, coach Hugo Sanchez has shown an ability to breed confidence in his team to avoid relegation to the second tier.

Last seasons’ ending run showed that when Espanyol scores, they are a daunting team to play because of the defence led by Jarque and Pareja. Before the tragedy befalling Daniel Jarque, Espanyol looked like a team that could contend with the likes of Valencia, Sevilla, Atletico, Villarreal and Deportivo for a top six finish. But the season 2009/10 hasn’t been good for the hosts. They have scored only 26 goals, conceded 40 and are in 12th place on 38 points for nine wins and eleven draws. The midfield will be the key to success on Sunday evening.
Hard to predict. Maybe under 2,5 goals.

Mallorca – Malaga

In the recent season, Mallorca are playing like the team that finished with a flurry and fought their way into ninth place at the end of the campaign last season. They are playing very well and are in 4th place with 55 points . They have won fourteen matches from sixteen at ONO Estadi with the impressive score 38:10 and are the biggest surprise of the league. Another key way for Mallorca to maintain their winning mind-set is the stability of the goalkeeper position.

A repeat 8th place like last year is impossible for the Andalucians. This season is different and they are actually in 17th position with 33 points. Along with manager Tapia, some of the important players from the previous season have left. Malaga will not fare as well as they did last year, and a lower table finish is more likely. Their main goal will be to stay in the Primera.
Mallorca will take all three points...home win.

Atletico Madrid – Tenerife

Los Colchoneros are the first team who have defeated Barca in an actual league season after they beat FC Barcelona 2-1 at Vicente Calderon. This win was very vital for them, but they have to be more consistent. If they win this match against Tenerife, they will get themselves into a more comfortable position. Atletico are going to be very powerful opponents today.

Tenerife return to the Primera division after several years in the second and they are actually in 18th place and in the relegation zone. They have had problems in front of goal (scored 34 goals in 33 matches). Despite a few summer transactions, the fate of Tenerife falls on the two forwards Nino and Alfaro.  If they can combine and score like in the last games, Tenerife should be a favorite to stay in the Primera.
Anything other than convincing home victory will be a surprise.

Getafe – FC Sevilla

Coach Michel hoped to take Getafe to a mid-table finish this year. Pedro Leon has been brought in from Valladolid and striker Roberto Soldado underlines the quality. Also the signing of Daniel Parejo and Derek Boateng was very good. The visitors are actually in 8th place on 47 points. They were defeated 3-2 in Tenerife last weekend. Their main season goal was a mid-table finish away from the relegation scrap.

The visitors are actually in 5th position after 33 rounds.  The Rojiblancos defeated Sporting Gijon 3-0 in their last home game a week ago. Sevilla have developed a reputation for being hard to break down in defence. They allowed only thirty-nine goals last campaign and there is an argument that Sevilla’s defensive four were better than Barcelona’s back four. The visitors want all three points and to stay at the top of the table.
Most probably it will be a draw.
 

SATURDAY GAMES:

FC Barcelona – Xerez

Barcelona have a first team of the highest quality and the youngsters to fill in when legs become tired. And they have Lionel Messi, the man who can change a game with a moment of brilliance. Barca had taken a somewhat different approach in their summer dealings like their opponents. They had the advantage of not needing to gel, as the team was virtually the same. Anything other than convincing home victory will be a big surprise today.

The visitors are still in 20th position and have scored only 30 times in 33 rounds. Xerez have had a difficult start in Primera and they actually have only 27 points. With nothing to lose, the newcomer entered La Liga capable of springing a few surprises. But Xerez are a team containing only a few players with top-level experience. Everyone expects them to go down, and they probably will.
Over 3.5 goals. Barca to keep a clean sheet.
 

Real Zaragoza – Real Madrid

Zaragoza’s former La Liga players and stars are gone and the club is trying to build a good new team. The main season’s goal is standing in the top half of the table. But they are actually sitting only in 16th place on 34 points. The hosts are seeking redemption as they hope to repay their loyal fans for the support they have received even when they were in the unfashionable Segunda division.
With new players and the guidance of manager Jose Aurelio Gay, Zaragoza should be comfortable in mid-table.

Real Madrid go into this match with twenty-seven wins, two draws and four defeats. They are actually only one point behind Barcelona  Merengues beat Valencia 2-0 last weekend at Santiago Bernabeu. Real played in this match as a team and had many goal chances. They will be highly motivated for the game against Zaragoza . They want to exert maximum pressure on their opponents and take all three points.
Convincing away victory...away win with -1.5 goals hcp

Valencia – Deportivo La Coruna

Valencia kept most of the core of their team, with Raul Albiol being the only significant player to leave. David Silva is much fitter after a frustrating last season due to chronic ankle problems, and the Three Brothers, Juan Mata on the right, Silva on the left, and David Villa in the middle, should terrorize opposing defenses with their speed and versatility for the rest of the season. Los Che are actually in 3rd place in La Liga behind Barca and Real and their main goal  is to qualify for the Champions’ League.

Deportivo aim to keep their solid form going against Valencia on Saturday. La Coruna started this season very well, but their form was going slightly downwards. They are on 9th position with 44 points after 33 matchdays. Since the 2003-2004 season, they have been a consistent top ten team apart from an anomalous thirteenth in 2006-2007. Depor have some talented players in the squad. They want at least one point from Mestalla but it will be very hard task.
Valencia will take all three points...home win